At the Expo 2025 in Osaka, Kansai, Japan, singers Ana Moura, Camané, and Ricardo Ribeiro performed ‘No tempo das Cerejas’ today, paying tribute to fado legend Amália Rodrigues. This event marked both the National Day of Portugal at the Expo and the World Portuguese Language Day.
Amália Rodrigues famously represented Portugal at the 1970 Osaka Expo, making this a 55-year commemoration.
Ricardo Ribeiro emphasized the solemnity of the occasion, stating, “Our responsibility is mainly to sing with dignity, sing, and give our best.” His remarks came about an hour before the concert, as a large crowd gathered to witness the homage.
“It is indeed a great source of pride and happiness to step onto this stage and continually remember Amália because Amália is a special being,” he said, noting that “the repertoire had already been chosen.”
He explained that “we had the opportunity to perform this with an orchestra in Lisbon in 2020, during the pandemic. It’s called ‘No Tempo das Cerejas’ because that is when ‘Amália supposedly was born.'”
Ribeiro added, “Now we have decided to bring it here” to the Expo 2025 in Osaka. “In fact, the Expo, the Lisbon City Hall, the Ministry of Culture, and Turismo de Portugal decided to bring it here,” he concluded.
Ana Moura also expressed feeling a “special responsibility.”
“I grew up hearing about an iconic album by Amália Rodrigues, ‘Amália live in Japan,’ which was very hard to find. I always knew about the appreciation that the Japanese had for Amália,” Moura added, describing it as a “huge affection” to honor the Portuguese artist in Japan.
The trio performed a piece together.
Discussing the feminine aspect in fado, Ana Moura observed, “There is indeed that association with a more feminine side in fado. I believe it is because we are much more accustomed to women expressing their feelings more than men.”
“These voices accompanying me tonight are voices that leave me completely ecstatic, emotional,” Moura emphasized, expressing her joy at sharing the stage with Camané and Ricardo Ribeiro.
She also acknowledged the significance of honoring her “greatest reference,” Amália Rodrigues.
Camané, too, highlighted Amália’s importance in fado music.
“Amália has always been a reference for me, and it is evident that all of us who sing fado and love fado have Amália in our voice,” he stated.
Camané praised Expo 2025, sharing that he explored various exhibitions about Portuguese culture. He noted discovering some Japanese words that are the same as in Portuguese.
The official ceremony kicked off with the hoisting of the Portuguese and Japanese flags and the singing of their respective national anthems. The Minister of Culture delivered a speech, followed by a performance by Dino D’Santiago that captivated the audience.
Additionally, there was an official visit by Portuguese and Japanese delegations and the opening of the Siza Exhibition. This exhibition is dedicated to the work of architect Álvaro Siza Vieira and curated by Spanish architect and critic Carlos Quintáns Eiras, in partnership with the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation.
Portugal’s participation in the Osaka Expo revolves around the theme “Ocean, a blue dialogue,” marking 55 years since its previous presence at the same world exposition in the same city.
Located in the “Empowering Lives” zone, the Portuguese Pavilion occupies an area of 1,836.75 square meters and is situated near the Japanese Pavilion. Designed by Japanese architect Kengo Kuma, the pavilion reflects contemporary architectural trends.
The world exposition commenced on April 13 and will conclude on October 13.
